PNP probes units’ posts linking Ninoy to NPA, vows disciplinary action

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday said it is investigating some police stations' social media posts accusing slain former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. of being part of the New People’s Army (NPA).

PNP Public Information Office Chief Police Brigadier General Roderick Augustus Alba said the agency is now looking into the posts, which have since been taken down, and anyone found accountable will face appropriate disciplinary actions.

“The PNP does not engage in name calling that can malign any person’s reputation. We value respect for human dignity,” he said in a statement.

This comes after several police stations—including the Batangas Maritime Police and the Quezon Maritime Police—earlier made posts on their social media accounts using the hashtags “NinoyNotAHero” and “NinoyNPA” over the weekend. The posts have since been deleted.

The statement was released on Sunday, which was earlier announced as a special non-working day to commemorate Aquino’s assassination.

The PNP earlier faced issues of red-tagging activities such as linking community pantries to communist groups and allegedly profiling organizers, causing the Quezon City Police District to apologize.

Former PNP chief General Guillermo Eleazar last year directed police officers to stop red-tagging activities, saying these may cause harassment and place lives in danger. — BM, GMA News